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Everett Hall Designs
Celebs, NBA and NFL stars and other wealthy types hit Everett Hall's boutique when they're in town. This big-name DC designer does beautiful hand-tailored Italian suits for men, often in bright colors, as well as cutting-edge sportswear and shoes.
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Filene's Basement
If you aren't from the east coast, you probably haven't had the privilege of shopping at Boston-based Filene's, a bargain-hunter's paradise devoted to men's and women's clothing, shoes and accessories. Unlike discount stores like Ross Dress for Less and TJ Maxx, designer duds are the norm rather than the exception at Filene's. If you look hard enough you can score anything from Prada to Armani at rock-bottom prices.
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Fire & Ice Of Georgetown
The eye-catchers at this unique jewelry boutique are the creative pieces crafted from silver and semiprecious stones but you'll also find smaller trinkets like polished fossils perfect for your daughter to purchase with her allowance.
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Fleet Feet
Shoes for every sporting activity are on sale here; service is personalized and staff tries to match customers' feet with their activity of choice.
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Freer Gallery Of Art
As well as prints, posters, jewelry and crafts, world music enthusiasts will find an extensive selection of traditional and contemporary music from Asian countries. Fun kits for kids teach them about brush painting, origami and haiku.
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Georgetown Park Mall
This elegantly designed upscale mall is on the north bank of the C&O Canal. It has a nice downstairs food court (with splashing fountains) and more than 100 shops, including FAO Schwarz, J Crew and Victoria's Secret. Here, too, is 250-year-old Caswell-Massey, an apothecary that once sold soaps and toiletries to George Washington.
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Ginza
Japan is the theme here. There is a nice selection of beautiful (looking and sounding) indoor fountains, scented candles and other interesting elements of Asian decor.
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Go Mama Go!
These 'moms with an attitude' offer pottery and art handcrafted by Asian and African artisans. The unique dinnerware is green, blue, cobalt - all clear, strong colors with very simple shapes.
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Guitar Shop
Although it's the size of a phone booth, this is DC's most impressive instrument retailer and repairer. Around since 1922, this store has serviced Springsteen and Dylan. The dedicated staff is quite helpful in assisting musicians - novice or star - in finding what they really need. And you will need help, as the incredibly dense collection ranges from top-of-the-line Martins to off-brand cheapies.
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Hats In The Belfry
From fashionable (but affordable) bonnets to costume caps, this shop has been topping off Georgetown's heads for years. The place has many mirrors and you are welcome to try on the goods.
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Himalayan House
This place oozes positive karma, probably because the handicrafts, jewelry and clothing all come straight from Nepal and Tibet. The Tibetan ritual crafts are fun to investigate even if you are not buying.
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Idle Time Books
Three creaky wooden floors are stuffed with used literature and nonfiction, including the best secondhand political and history collection in the city. Its sci-fi, sports and humor sections are top-notch, and there's a good newsstand in its front window. A sweet-tempered old cat patrols the upper floors.
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Indian Craft Shop
This crowded one-room shop sells gorgeous but costly basketry, weavings and jewelry made by Native Americans. Show photo ID to enter the building.
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Inga's Once Is Not Enough
Known as the first lady of retail couture, Inga has all the big names - Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Marc Jacobs - for sale at her fine consignment shop. Herself a fashion consultant for the local Fox channel, Inga takes her customers firmly in hand, showing them what they really want to buy in her very crowded shop thick with designer labels. It's easiest to drive; for parking, try N or Prospect Sts to the north of Wisconsin Ave (around 36th Street).
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Kiehl's
Favorites of movie stars, Kiehl's products are known for their exceptional quality. This neat brick shop with attentive salespeople is filled with all the Kiehl's goodies you could want - divine shampoos and conditioners, rich and creamy body lotions, facial scrubs and a wonderful self-tanner (it doesn't turn you orange) are just a few of the offerings. The prices are a little high, but their effectiveness makes them worth it.
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Kobos
Not your average clothing shop, Kobos is an African clothier. The Afro boutique carries a good selection of kente cloth, as well as cool tapestries and African music.
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Kramerbooks
With the Afterwords café and bar behind the shop, this round-the-clock bookstore is as much a spot for schmoozing as for shopping. You can listen to live bands, drink a pint, check email for free, nosh and flirt (the store is a fabled pick-up spot for straights and gays). This flagship independent features fine current literature, travel and politics sections.
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Krön Chocolatier
This shop is known for hand-dipped truffles and amusing novelties, like edible chocolate baskets, milk-chocolate telephones and cars.
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Lambda Rising
This landmark in gay and lesbian DC sells CDs and videos, as well as books. The flyers and free giveaways near its door are a good way to learn about happenings in the local gay community.
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Meeps Fashionette
This vintage clothier appeals to both boy and girl denizens of the New U club district with its 1950s and '60s swinger-style clothes: puffy skirts for dancing, suede-lapelled blazers and such accessories as funky hats and beaded purses. Items are moderately priced (dresses around US$30 ) and in decent condition.
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Movie Madness
A trip to Movie Madness has become a rite of passage for Washington teenagers redecorating their bedrooms before the start of high school. Thousands of modern and classic movie posters, along with celebrity pictures, political memorabilia and old-fashioned advertisements, are for sale.
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Mustard Seed
A Bethesda stalwart, this shop has been around for decades. Skip the overpriced new clothes displayed up front and head straight for the better deals in the middle. You have to dig a bit, but you can come up with designer finds.
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National Building Museum
This museum shop is an amateur architect's dream with small pieces of furniture, rich coffee-table books, paper models of famed buildings, and a collection of books on American and international architecture.
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National Museum Of African Art
Almost as good as a trip to the 'Dark Continent.' African art collectors will relish the incredible selection here. Textiles, baskets, musical instruments, dolls and other wares come from Angola, Zimbabwe and everywhere African in between.
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National Museum Of American History
This place offers four venues for your wallet to 'celebrate' American history. The main shop has reproductions of old war posters and 20th century newspapers, and an excellent selection of crafts, including Navajo pottery and Inuit statues. Other stores in the museum focus on presidents, music and - in keeping with the museum's latest exhibit - transportation.
